Chapter 2

2

After the reception, I was about to leave when Sean blocked my path.

"Rhett, Valerie and I haven't seen each other in a long time. Go ahead without her, let us catch up for a bit."

I looked at him with sheer apathy. "Do whatever you want. None of my business, just don't bother me."

"And you better not come home tonight. I prefer the peace and quiet."

I directed that last sentence at Valerie. Her face turned pale, and several nearby guests began whispering and judging them.

Leaving the hotel, I drove alone to a private lounge downtown.

Not long after I settled in, Valerie and Sean walked in through the front doors.

They were laughing and chatting intimately, looking just like a happy couple.

"Well, look who's here! Mr. Mercer! Didn't you just get married today? What brings you to my lounge?"

The lounge owner's cheerful voice drew Valerie and Sean's attention.

Valerie walked over with a stern face and demanded, "Didn't you go home? Why are you at a bar?"

【What a joke! If you can come, why can't I? At least I came alone, while you brought your side piece. How dare you question me?】

【See that? That's women for you. Hypocritical and entitled. The audacity is sickening!】

Valerie's expression fluctuated between anger and embarrassment. "Rhett, watch your mouth! Sean and I are just having a conversation!"

【Sure, sure. First you talk, then you drink, and then you wake up in his bed. You've mastered the art of being shameless.】

【And this little clown, hanging around a newlywed woman. A match made in hell!】

Valerie pressed her lips together tightly.

"I don't want to argue with you. Sean and I are strictly friends. We're just catching up."

Sean deliberately stepped closer to Valerie and said soothingly, "Valerie, Mr. Mercer is probably just jealous seeing us together."

He then turned to me with a condescending smile. "Don't worry, Mr. Mercer. I just missed Valerie. I'll drive her home later, so there's no need to stalk us."

"We just got married and you're already policing her social life. How are you going to survive the future? Are you really that insecure?"

I stared at Sean in disbelief, then turned to the lounge owner beside me.

"Cheryl, tell this moron exactly when I got here."

Cheryl glared at Sean with clear disgust. "Mr. Mercer has been sitting here for over twenty minutes. If I weren't busy, I would've sent some lovely ladies over to keep him company. Who the hell are you to claim he's stalking you?"

I waved my hand dismissively. "Cheryl, be nice. That's my brand-new wife and her dear childhood sweetheart. Mind your manners."

Cheryl was stunned, staring at Valerie in pure disbelief.

"Hit the club with another man on your wedding night? Mrs. Mercer sure knows how to party. Poor Mr. Mercer! Even with his condition, he's ten times the man this creep is."

"At least when Mr. Mercer is in his right mind, he's genuinely charming."

In the past, my second personality had broken loose in this lounge several times, smashing furniture and injuring people.

Cheryl had always smoothed things over for me, and she never overcharged me for the damages.

She was a smart businesswoman who knew the value of staying on my good side.

Cheryl's sharp words made Valerie's cheeks burn with shame.

Coming to a bar with another man right after getting married was undeniably disgraceful.

Sean snapped and pointed at Cheryl. "Who do you think you are? Do you have any right to speak here?"

"Valerie and I are just talking. Besides, we're the ones who truly love each other. Mercer stole her from me with his money!"

"He ran off to a bar looking for girls right after the wedding, so what right does he have to judge Valerie?"

【Oh, look at that! 'Our Valerie'! Truly a pair of shameless dogs!】

Valerie frowned deeply, looking at me to explain. "It's not what you think. Rhett, there's nothing going on between us, we really just wanted to talk."

As she spoke, she noticed my facial muscles twitching erratically, my expression turning dark and manic.

Cheryl's eyes widened, and she shouted in alarm, "Oh crap! Mr. Mercer is having an episode! Everyone run!"